Railroad under-track device



April' 20, 1965 J. w. cHRlsToFF RAILROAD UNDER-amokVT DEVICE Filed May22, 1963 April 20, 1965 J. w. cHmsToFF 3,179,062

RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE Aww/vel@ April 20 1965 J. w. cHRls-roFF3,179,062

RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE Filed May 22. 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 mwey;

Api! 2o, 196s J. w. CHRISTOFF 3,179,062

RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE Filed May 22, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sinaail 4 April20, 1965 J. w. cHRlsTol-F 3,179,062

RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE Filed May 22, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 April20, 1965 J. w. cHRlsroFF RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed May 22, 19625 April 2o, 1965 Filed May 22, 1963 J. W. CHRISTOFFRAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 fsf United States Patent iice 3,179,062- RAILROAD UNDER-TRACK DEVICE James W. Christol,Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Mannix Co. Ltd., Calgary, Alberta,Canada Filed May 22, 1963, Ser. No. 282,428 18 Claims. p (Cl. 104-7)This invention relates to an under-track device for use in removingmaterial such as earth or ballast from beneath a railroad track.

In one form the invention relates to an under-track device thatcan beinserted between the roadbed and the ties, and there caused to travelalong the tr-ack either as a drawn or a self-propelled vehicle whilesuccessive portions of the track are progressively elevated andsupported. As such progress continues, the device deflects a layer ofballast or earth from the vroadbed beneath the ties and conveys thismaterial, along with any crib ballast present, to one or both sides ofthe track beyond the ends of the ties. Such removed material can then becollected by suitable means and transported away.

Although devices for this general purpose have previously been proposed,none of them has proved fully universal in operation. One of the mainreasons for the Operational limitations of previous devices has beentheir level of the ties, as distinct from the crib ballast which lies inthe spaces or cribs between the ties) which lie directly under (and inthe near vicinity of) those parts of the ties which underlie the rails.Standard railroad practice requires tamping of the ballast in theseareas. consolidation of the ballast which results from this tamping,together with the continual pounding of `the ballast in these areas bythe passage of trains, results in the tie beds becoming more tightlypacked than the remainder of the ballast bed.

When the ballast becomes fouled with mud and debris after long use, thetightly packed pieces of ballast in the tie beds are said to be cementedtogether, that is to say they form large lumps exhibiting a cohesionalmost as great as if the individual pieces of ballast actually werejoined together with cement. When this happens, drainage is impaired andit becomes necessary to plow out the track to remove the fouled ballastand subsequently replace it with clean ballast. Substantial resistanceagainst being so displaced is naturally offered by the cemented ballastin the tie beds.

It isV believed that the apparatus ofthe present invention attacks thisproblem in a manner superior to any hitherto proposed,fand, as a result,permits satisfactory plowing out of diicult track and displacement witha single pass of a deeper layer of ballast'than has hitherto beenpossible. Although prior art devices have been generally successful inplowing out track (especially the towed-type of ballast plow whichemploys inclined blades to dig out and deilect the ballast), it ischaracteristic of such prior devices that they tend to remove mainly thecrib ballast and only take a comparatively shallow cut, if any, into themain ballast bed, except under the most favourable conditions.

Not only does the apparatus of the present invention permit deeper cutsinto the ballast bed, but, in one form, it combines this `facility withthose of a self-propelled device. l

These objects are achieved in the present apparatus primarily byproviding, in advancel of blade means that deiiect `ballast up from theballast bed for subsequent conveyanceto a side of the track, diggermeans comprising The 'i Patented Apr. 20, 1965 a series of individualballast-penetrating ytines arranged to be in alignment with at least thetie bed portions of the ballast bed. Both the digger means and the blademeans maintain the original transverse distribution of the ballast,which is another factor in permitting a deep cut to be taken. Mechanismmay be provided for repeatedly driving the tines into the ballast bedand withdrawing them therefrom to loosen the ballast in advance of theblade means. Such mechanism preferably comprises a roller from which thetines project, and it will be convenient to provide for powered rotationof such roller so that the tines can be caused to force their waythrough the ballast and thus enhance the loosening process.Alternatively, the tines may be fixed in position and be dragged throughthe roadbed material to loosen it.

Further features that the present apparatus may with advantageincorporate include separate mounting of plowing and propulsion meansfor independent vertical adjustment, and division of plowing andpropulsion means each into a pair of separate units, arrangedside-by-side, and capable of vertical adjustment relative to each other.

In another form, the invention provides for the connection of theunder-track device to an on-track vehicle for propulsion of the assemblyalong the track during `operation and for transportation of the assemblyin two parts housed in stored positions for travel to and from the siteof operation.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, diagrammatically and Vby way ofexample, various manner in which the invention may be carried intopractice. In these drawings:

FIGURE l shows a side view of an under-track device according to theinvention, in operation beneath a section of track;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the under-track device of FIGURE l with thetop plate of the device partly cut away to reveal the mechanisms belowand the track cut away and the ballast omitted for clarity ofillustration;

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line III-III in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a nose portion of the deviceof FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of an alternative construction;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of another assembly according to the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a section on the line VII-VII in FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a front view of one half of the apparatus of FIGURE 6demonstrating its manner of being raised from beneath the track;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 showing the parts in housedposition for travelling;

FIGURE 10 is aperspective fragmentary View of the elevating mechanism ofthe apparatus of FIGUR'ES 6A FIGURE 11 is an enlarged front butfragmentary view vof the apparatus of FIGURES 6 to 9;

' URE A14;

FIGURE 17 is a view taken on the plane XVII-XVII in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 18 is a simplified front view of yet another construction inaccordance with the invention;

f FEGURE. 19 is a fragmentary section'taken on the line XiX-XfX inFIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 2() is a front perspective View illustrating the manner ofoperation of the apparatus of FGURE 18. The under-track devi illustratedin FXGURES lV to 4 consists of a main, rigid framework of which theprincipal component is a plate 1t), although an open framework couldY beemployed. Mounted with their upper spans projecting'above the plate l@are a pair of endless-tracktype conveyors ll. These conveyors l1 supportthe ties 120i the elevated span of track 13, and may be motor driven ormay idle as the device travels along beneath the track. The use oftrack-type conveyors reduces friction between the device and the ties itengages, but, if rather more friction can be tolerated, such conveyorscan be replaced by free-running rollers turning about lixed axes, or bylixed runners that slide in contact with the tie bottoms.

At its rear, the device is provided with propulsion means, which in theexample illustrated, comprises two separate propulsion units la and lebarranged side-byside beneath the plate itl. Since these units areidentical with each other (in mirror image), the plate has been cut awayto reveal mainly the parts of the left-hand unit Maz. rthis unit will beseen to consist of a framework l5 supporting a pair of endless tracks loarranged to be in tractive engagement with the roadbed 17 and to bedriven through gearing 1S from a hydraulic motor ll9.

If preferred, driving wheels engaging the roadbed can be used. Each sidemember of the frame l5 is vertically slidably connected front and backto the plate l@ by a pair of telescoping guides Ztl having an associatedhydraulic cylinder 2l by which the desired extent of downward projectionof the propulsion unit can be set and retained. v

ln the `area forwardly of the propulsion means there .are mountedplowing means, which, in the example illustrated, consist of a pair ofseparate plowing units 22a and 22h also arranged side-by-side beneaththe plate lil.

Again, since these units are identical with each other (in mirror image)anly the unit ZZcz'has been revealed in detail. lt comprises a framework23 supporting a transversely movable belt conveyor 2d driven by ahydraulic motor 25, and a blade 26 extending transversely across theunit while sloping downwardly and forwardly to deflect ballast up fromthe roadbed in scoop fashiononto the conveyor 2d while keeping suchballast spread out across the track in essentially its originaltransverse distribution.. The unit 22a also includes a digger Z7arranged in advance of the blade 26. The digger Z7 consists of roller 28mounted in bearings 29 for rotation about an axis extending horizontallyacross the plowing unit, and under the control of a hydraulic motorRoller 2S has projecting from it a number of individualballast-penetrating tines 3l distributed along and around its surface.

As inthe case of the propulsion units, each of the plowing units 22a and22]; is independently adjustable vertically from the plate l@ by meansof four telescoping guides '32 and associated hydraulic controlcylinders 33.

Projecting forwardly from the area of the device occupied by the plowingunits are a pair of nosebeams 3de and Seb, one on each side of thedevice. Once again these are alike and hence only the beam 34a and itsassociated parts will be described. It serves firstly to support theleading end of the left hand conveyor 1l. It also serves, together witha side plate 35, to mount a series of four preliminary free-runningrollers 36 which extend over the area forwardly of the plowing means andoutwardly of the lnose beam. Each roller is capable of being set inposition in regard to vertical adjustment relative to the other parts ofthe device. Short vertical walls 37 and 3S project down from the platel@ in front'and behind rollers E6 to increase the structural rigidity ofthe device, but the rollers 36 will normally project below such walls toride on the crib ballast 39. Note that the rollers 36 do not projectdownwardly as' muchas the digger 27 which bites into the ballast bed d@that lies below the level that the tie bottoms occupied.

till further forwardly, there is providedV a preliminary ballastlevelling blade 4l inclined to the front to rear axis of the device.

The extreme forward tip 42 of each nose beam 34a, 34!) is pivoted to thebeam proper (as best seen from FiGURE 4) by pivot 43. Gnly acomparatively small range of travel is permitted the tip by abuttingsurfaces de, but the ability of the tip to follow the lay of the ballastand to swing upwardly if it encounters a strong obstruction providesimproved operation by minimising stoppages and breakages. y

The under-track device is shown connected by a yoke d5 to an er1-trackvehicle lo which houses arpower plant and control unit 137. The vehicle46 may be drawn along the track by the under-track device, or may beseparately propelled, in which case it may not be necessary to yoke thetwo devicestogether. The operator who is stationed on the vehicle 46would merely ensure that the vehicle travels along the tracksynchronously with-the undertrack device in order not to requireexcessively long hydraulic lines for feeding the various motors andcylinders of the under-track device.

The operation of the under-track device will have become appar-ent fromthe foregoing description.L As has been explained in the openingparagraphs', the most resistance to ballast deflection is encountered inthe ballast bed, and especially the ltie bed portions of the ballastbed, the tie beds being the portions of the ballast bed which underliethe parts of the ties directly under a rail and in the vicinity thereof.Thus the essential requirement for the Vdiggers 27 is that they bearranged in alignment longitudinally of the track with at least the tiebed portions of the roadbed. ln practice it is convenient to have thediggers extending across almost the entire front face of the plowingunits. A small striprin the centre will normally remain undug by reasonof thepractical need to support theV digger rollers in bearings, butthis is a cornparatively loose part of the roadbed havinglain centrallybetween tl e rails and hence between the tie beds. Surfaces r'ii willthus be able to deflect this central strip of ballast on to blades 26without prior digging.

The digger rollers 2S are preferably rotated anti-clockwise as shown inFIGURE l, and at a speed ratherrgreater than necessary for their tinesto move over the roadbed at the same linear speed as the rate ofprogress `of the device. action results in the tines tending to forcetheir way through and break up the ballast bed and urge the ballastrearwardly towards the dellecting blades 26.

However, there may be circumstances in which it is preferred to drivethe rollers at the same linear speed as the device, orgeven more slowlywhen the tines would tend to drag through the roadbed. The operator hasa choice device, so as not to deflect the ballast towards one side whenloosening it, and due to the fact that the blades 26 extend across thedevice at right angles to the direction of travel, the ballast is raisedup off the roadbed while maintained with substantially its originaltransverse distribution. ln other words, lateral deflection of theballast is not attempted until the conveyor belts 24 are reached. Thework that it is required to do on ballast to deflect it upwardly andrearwardly (scoop it up a gentle incline) is far less than that.required to Vdeflect it horizontally (transversely of the track) whileit remains in frictional contact with the roadbed. By devising a systemin which transverse displacement of the material to be removed isavoided until a later stage in the operation (by which time the materialhas been brought up out of contact with the roadbed and placed onconveyor belts 24), applicant has avoided one of the main problemsinherent in the earlier systems, namely the substantial amount of workthatA had to be done to deflect to the side of the track ballast that isstill lying in contact with the roadbed and is thus subjected tothefriction of the roadbed tending to inhibit any deflection. By takingadvantage of this improvement (reduction in work needed `to be done), aswell as the avoidance of undue piling up of the material, applicant isable to take an appreciably deeper cut into a roadbed than has beenpossible with any of the forms of apparatus developed heretofore.

FIGURE 2 shows the belts 24 moving in opposite directions. This willnormally be the arrangement adopted, but, in a case where it is desiredto move all the ballast on one side of the track, one belt could -bedriven inwardly (towards the centre of the track) so as to feed itsballast onto the other belt, an articulated transfer plate beingpositioned between the belt ends if found necessary.

FIGURE 3 shows the plowing unit 22!) adjusted to project downwardly fromthe `plate slightly more than `does the other plowing unit 22a, thus`demonstrating the inherent flexibility of the arrangement Railroadtrack that has been in use for a number of years often exhibits manyirregularities in the grading and cross-level of the ballast. Theability to correct such faults while carrying out an undercutting orplowing operation is an advantage `of the present arrangement.Flexibility of control of the vertical position of the parts is alsouseful when working on curved, banked track.

The example of the invention so far described permits four basicindependent depth adjustments, those of lthe two plowing units and thoseof the two propulsion units. Within these adjustments, there could beemployed some measure of finer adjustment by tilting one, or other, orall, of these units by separately operating the four hydraulic cylindersthat control each, unit. There is Suthcient slack in the guides and 32to permit some tilting. Thus, potentially, sixteen separate adjustmentpoints are provided, although in'pract-ice this iineness of depthcontrol would seldom be required.

It will be apparent that four, while a convenient number ofindependentiunits, is not the only number possible. `If the twopropulsion units were combined into a single structure, three mainadjustments would -be available (the two plowing units and the singlepropulsion means). If the two plowing units were combined into a singlestructure, while leaving the propulsion units separate, again threeareas of adjustment would be available. If both combinations were madesimultaneously, then just a fore-and-aft tilting adjustment could beavailable, subject to any transverse tilt obtainable lfrom independentoperation of individual hydraulic cylinders. Yet another possibilityarises from the combination of the right hand plowing and propulsionunits into one structure, and the ,combination of the left hand plowingand propulsion units into a second structure independently verticallyadjustable relatively to the first such structure.

One particular advantage of an arrangement of units in which those onthe righ-t are independent of those on the left (regardless of whetherthe plowing units are independent of the propulsion units) is thefacility that such a construction' provides for dividing the wholeunder-track device downits fore-and-att centerline so that the two partscan be handled and transported separately. The later embodiments of theinvention described below demonstrate this facility.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a refinement in which a further adjustmentis`available, digger roller 28 being mounted at one end on arm 50 housing apower drive to the roller. Arm 50 is pivot-ally mounted about pin 51 lsothat roller 28 can be raised and lowered in relation to the framework 23by hydraulic control cylinder 52. The blade 26 is secured at its end toarm 50, so that blade 26 pivots with 6. digger 28. Ballast scooped up byblade 26 passes over xed surface 53 to conveyor 24. Another pivoted arm(not shown) similar to arm 50 will support the other end of roller 2S,the plowing means being either divided into two independent plowingunits as in FIGURES 1 to 3, or formed as one single unit an alternativealready discussed.

Although a self-propelled under-track device has some advantages, theessential feature of the present invention, namely the tine bearingdigger that is provided to loosen the ballast bed in advance of thedellecting means (blades and belt conveyors, in the example), can beemployed in an under-track device in which the propulsive force issupplied externally, as from towing cables. This form of construction isdemonstrated by a further embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGURES 6 to 17. FIGURES `6 and 12 show a `deiecting blade 126 whichfunctions in the same manner as the blade 26 4already described, `andconveyor belts 124 similar to the belts 24. An auxiliary delecting wing125, shown only in FIGURE 12, can be added if desired to provide somepreliminary clearance in `advance of the belts 124. This apparatus ismounted beneath the track13 (some of the ties of which have been omittedfrom FIGURE 12 for clarity) by means of hydraulic cylinder assemblies101 secured to the boom 146 of an on-track vehicle. The latter includesa towing yoke 145 by which the whole assembly can be towed along thetrack by a locomotive (not shown) through the agency of cables 102. Theon-track vehicle also includes a front cart 103 with rail engagingwheels 104 and a rear cart (not shown) and preferably a track alignmenthead (also not shown). These parts, the nature of which forms no part ofthe present invention, may conveniently be arranged in the mannerdescribed and illustrated in James W. Christoif U.S. patent applicationSerial No. 101,503 filed April 7, 1961.

. Since this assembly is `designed to be towed along the track by cables102, the propulsion units provided in the previous embodiment aredispensed with. Lifting jacks 105 are provided on each side of thevehicle boom 146 to cooperate with rail-engaging dogs 106 shown in thedrawings in their housed positions (except FIGURE 8). When the dogs 106(one on each side of the boom 146) are lowered to engage the rails ofthe track and the lifting jacks 105 (also one on each side of thevehicle) are extended, the track is raised for the insertion or removalof digger mechanisms, as shown in FIGURE 8. For further details of themanner of operation of such dogs andrjack-s,which also form no part ofthe present invention, reference may be had to James W. Christo U.S.Patent No. 3,054,359 issued September 18, 1962.

An important difference between the apparatus shown in FIGURES 6 to 17and that shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 is the form taken by the diggermechanism. Instead of rotary digger rollers, material-penetrating'tines131 are mounted inrxed position to project from beneath a pair of plates132 each having a forwardly'projecting, upwardly inclined portion 133and each firmly secured to a forwardly projecting member 134. The uppersurfaces of members 134 are curved and are provided with runners 135 forsupporting and sliding contact with the ties of the elevated span oftrack. The forwardmost tip 136 of each member 134 forms a nose in theusual manner ofiunder-track devices. As best seen in FIGURE 17 the tines131 are distributed across the plate 132. Although no tine has beenpositioned exactly underneath the runner-supporting member 134, whichlatter slides over the centerline of a tie bed portion of the roadbed,the tines are suiiiciently closely spaced from each other in thetransverse direction of the track that they electively loosen the entirewidth of roadbed material, including the material with which the tinesdo not come into direct contact. The two tines positioned one on eachside of the member 134 thus eectively dig a tie bed portion of theroadbed, and the other tie bed portion is dug by the corresponding tineson the other plate 132.

The digger mechanism 131B is formed in two parts which meet in thecenter or the track to form a unitary device. plates 132'disconnectedfrom one another and FGURE 14 shows thesame plates interconnected bymeans of a slidable rod 1511 which slides in brackets 151 and 152 underthe control of a hydraulic cylinder 153. As shown in FIGUREl 14, in thelocked position the rod .also engages bracket 154. In addition a plate155 secured to the rod 1S@ has a recess 156 which engages a iixed pin157 on the other plate 132. In this way the two plates can be iirmlyconnected together.

Each part of this digger mechanism is mounted on a hoisting mechanismshown generally at 1611 iny FIGURES 6, 7 and 12 and in somewhat moredetail in FIGURES 8 to 1G. When it is desired to remove either part ofthe digger mechanism from beneath the track, hydraulic cylinder 153 isoperated to Withdraw the locking rod 15@ and thus release the inneredges of the two parts of the mechanism. The track is -then elevated bylowering the rail-engaging dogs 1116 and expanding the jacks 1115(FIGURE 8). With the track thus supported, a hyraulic cylinder 161 isoperated to extend its piston 162 and rotate an assembly 163 (FIGURE 10)which includes a pair of arms 164 telescopically carrying sections 165movable in and out in relation to the arms 15d by a hydraulic cylinder16d. At their free ends the arm sections 165 carry arms 167 (FIGURE 8)which telescopically support further sections 16S under the control of ahydrulic cylinder 169. As FIGURE 8 demonstrates, expansion of cylinder161 turns the whole assembly to withdraw the associated half of thedigger mechanism lfrom beneath the track. After it has been soWithdrawn, retraction of the various telescopic parts brings theassembly to the housed condition shown in FIGURE 9. The other half ofthe digger mechanism is essentially the same in mirror image and issimilarly housed. The operating hydraulic cylinder l161 are spported bya frame (FlGURE 11) which is free to turn within limits about a pivotpin 172 relative to the end of the boom 146 of the on-track vehicle.IIhe cart 163 is mounted beneath the frame 1711 by means of extensiblehydraulic assemblies 173 shown extended in FGURE 9, this being thetravelling position with cart 1193 lowered into engagement withunelevated track, jacks 1115 raised and the rail-engaging dogs 106housed, and the digger mechanisms housed in positions elevated clear ofcontact with the track.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 12 show the apparatus in operating condition with-thedigger mechanism 1311 supporting the Weight of the elevated span oftrack, the cart 163 resting on such elevated span and theballast-penetrating tines 131 serving to dig the ballast in advance ofthe blade 126 across substantially the full roadbed and particularly inthe tie bed portions.

FIGURE 8 shows the apparatus halted for removal of the digger mechanism.vThe blade 126 and conveyor assembly 124 may be removed from beneath thetrack in a like manner, that is by Ibeing divided centrally and swungout by rotation of the assembly `1111 about its vertical axis, withsubsequent contraction of such assembly to hoist each half of the blade126 and its associated conveyor 124 into an elevated position.Alternatively, each blade half and its associated conveyor can bepivoted to housed position about a horizontal axis by mechanismanalogous to the housing mechanism 16u. As yet another alternative, theblade 126 and its associated conveyors 124 can be removed manually frombeneath the track after having been unhitched from their supportingassemblies.

FIGURE 9 shows the travelling condition. Insertion of the diggermechanism will be carried out by reversal ofthe removal procedure justdescribed.

FIGURES. 18 to 20 show another alternative form of digger mechanism alsoformed in two separable parts,

FIGURE 13 shows the inner edges of the two Vwith each part mounted on anindividual lowering mechanism 1S@ on each side of an on-track vehicleboom 146.

`Each art of this di er mechanism consists of a sin le P gg tube 181from which a series of ballast-penetrating tines 1112 depend. rlhe twotubes 1&1 are joined together centrally by a bolt 1&3 which passesthrough lugs 184 and 185' formed on their respective rear surfaces. Whenbolt 133 is removed each tube 181 can be rotated about its ownlongitudinal axis by hydraulic cylinder 1156` to Withdraw the tines fromthe roadbed. Then the entire lower assembly 137 can be rotated about thevertical axis of pillar 18? by a motor that is not visible but is housedwithin the pillar 1&8. This action swings the assembly 157 out frombeneath the track, after which it can be raised by contraction of thepillar 188 into its cooperating telcscoping section 189 under thecontrol of a hydraulic cylinder 1911. l

The facility whereby the tubes 131 can be turned about their ownlongitudinal axes by clinders 186, which applies when the tubes arelocked together as well as when they are separate, enables the angle ofattack of the tines 182 to be varied. Y

When using this form of digger mechanism which is not designed tosupport the track 13, the track is elevated by rail engaging andsupporting rollers 191 mounted in depending position beneath theon-track vehicle rearwardly of the cart 1113. ln this case both carts ofthe vehicle will rest on unelevated track and the elevated span will beheld up by rollers 191 located approximately centrally of the length ofthe boom 146.

The blade and conveyors will be the same as before and will bepositioned behind the digger tubes 181, although or simplicity they havebeen omitted from FIG- URES 18 and 20.

This application is a continuation-impart of application Serial No.91,186 tiled February 23, 1961.

l claim:

1. Apparatus for removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (i) means for travelling along the track including means forelevating a span of said track above the roadbed,

(ii) blade means extending transversely across substantially the fullwidth of the track,

(iii) means mounting said blade means on said travelling means fortravel therewith along the track, said mounting means mounting the blademeans beneath said elevated span of track with the blade meansprojecting forwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion to deliect materialupwardly from the roadbed,

(iv) said blade means extending substantially at right angles to thedirection of travel whereby material thereby deflected rearwardlyremains spread out across the width of the track in substantially itsoriginal transverse distribution, i

(v) conveyor means mounted on said travelling means in position beneathsaid elevated span rearwardly of said blade means to lreceive materialdeflected thereby and to convey such deflected material towards alateral edge of the track, Y

(vi) and digger means mounted on said travelling means in positionbeneath said elevated span in advance of said blade means,

(vii) said digger means comprising a plurality of dependingmaterial-penetrating tines distributed across the apparatus and alignedlongitudinally of the track with at least the tie bed portions of theroadbed for loosening the material of said portions for scoop- -ing upby said blade means, said tines leaving such loosened material spreadout transversely of the track in substantially its original transversedistribution.

2. Apparatus according to claim l, wherein said digger means comprises agenerally horizontal member, said material-penetrating tines dependingin fixed location frorrsaid member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said digger means comprise atleast one tubular member extending t transversely across the track, saidmaterial-penetrating tines depending in xed location from said tubularmemmoving each said tine generally in a vertical plane ex-` tendinglongitudinally of the track to repeatedly drive said tines into theroadbed and withdraw them therefrom to loosen the material of saidroadbed.

5. Apparatus for removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (i) a framework constructed to travel along the roadbedbeneath the ties while elevating and supporting a span of track,

(ii) blade'means extending transversely across substantially the fullwidth of the track,

(iii)` means mounting said blade means for travel with said frameworkalong the track, said mounting means mounting the blade means beneathsaid elevated span of track with the blade means projecting forwardlyand downwardly in scoop fashion to deect material upwardly from theroadbed,

(iv) said blade means extending substantially at right angles to thedirection of travel wherebymaterial thereby deflected rearwardly remainsspread `out across the width of the track in substantially its origgdeflected thereby and to convey such deflected ma- Y terial towards alateral edge of the track,

(vi) and digger means mounted on said framework in position beneath saidelevated span in advance of said blade means, g

(vii) said digger means comprising a plurality of dependingmaterial-penetrating tines distributed across the apparatus and alignedlongitudinally of the track with at least the tie bed portions of theroadbed for loosening the material of said portions for scooping up bysaid blade means, said tines leaving such loosened material spread outtransversely of the track in substantially its original transversedistribution.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said digger means comprisesaV generally horizontal member, said material-penetrating tinesdepending in lixed location from said member.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, including means for moving each saidtine generally in a vertical plane extending longitudinally ofthe trackto repeatedly drive said tines into the roadbed and withdraw themtherefrom to loosen the material of said roadbed,

8. Apparatus according to` claim includingpropulsion means mounted onsaid framework for tractive engagement with said roadbed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said propulsion means ismounted on said framework for vertical adjustment relative to saidframework, and said plowing means is mounted on said framework forvertical adjustment relative to said framework independently of thevertical adjustment of said propulsion means.

l0. Apparatus according to claim 5 including (i) a pair of propulsionunits arranged side by Side,

each for tractive engagement with said roadbed, (ii) and means mountingeach said propulsion unit on said framework for vertical adjustmentrelative to said framework independently of the other said unit. ll. Anunder-track device for removing ballast from beneath a railroad track,said device comprising (i) a generally flat framework constructed totravel l@ along the roadbed beneath the ties -whilesupporting anelevated span of track, t

(ii) propulsion means 4mounted on said framework for tractive engagementwith said roadbed,

(iii) a pair of plowing units arranged side by side each to encounterundisturbed ballast as kthe device is driven along the roadbed by `saidpropulsion means,

(iv) and means mounting each said plowing unit on said framework totravel beneath the elevated span of track forwardly of said propulsionmeans, said mounting means mounting said plowing units for verticaladjustment relative to the framework independently of each other,

.(v.) each sad plowing unit comprising (a) blade means extendingtransversely across substantially the full Width of a respective side ofthe device while projecting forwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion todetiect ballast upwardly from the roadbed, said blade means extendingsubstantially at right angles to the direction of travel whereby ballastthereby dellected rearwardly relative to the device remains spread outacross the width of the device,

V(b) conveyor means positioned to receive ballast deected thereto bysaid blade means and to convey such deflected ballast beyond a lateral iedge of the track, and

(c) digger means positioned in advance of said blade means andcomprising a series of indidividual ballast-penetrating tinesdistributed across the device in alignment longitudinally of 'the trackwith a respective side of the ballast bed including the tie bed portionof the ballast bed beneath the rail on said side of the-track, and meansfor moving each said tine generally in a vertical plane extendinglongitudinally of the device to repeatedly drive said tines into theballast bed and withdraw them therefrom to loosen the ballast forscooping up by said blade means while leaving such loosened ballastspread out across the track in substantially its original transversedistribution.

12. An under-track device for removing ballast from beneath a railroadtrack, said device comprising (i) a generally at framework constructedto travel along the roadbed beneath the ties while supporting anelevated span lof track,

(ii) a pair of propulsion units arranged side by side,

each for tractive engagement with said roadbed,

(iii) means mounting each said propulsion unit on said framework forvertical adjustment relative to said framework independently of theother said unit,

('iv) a pair of plowing units arranged side by side each to encounterundisturbed ballast as the device is driven along the roadbed by saidpropulsion means,

(v) means mounting each said plowing unit on said framework to travelbeneath the elevated span of track forwardly of aV respective propulsionunit, said mounting means mounting said plowing units for verticaladjustment relative to the framework independently of one another andindependently of said propulsion units,

(Vi) each said plowing unit comprising (a) blade means extendingtransversely across substantially the full width of a respective side ofthe device while projecting forwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion todeect ballast upwardly from the roadbed, said blade means extendingsubstantially at right angles to the direction of travel whereby ballastthereby deflected rearwardly relative to the device remains spread outacross the width of the device,

(b) conveyor means positioned to receive ballast deflected thereto bysaid blade means and to convey such deilected ballast beyond a lateraledge of the track, and

(c) digger means positioned in advance of said blade means andcomprising a series of individual ballast-penetrating tines distributedacross the device in alignment longitudinally of the track with arespective side of the ballast bed including the tie bed portion of theballast bed beneath the rail on said side of the track, and means formoving each said tine generally in a vertical plane extendinglongitudinally of the device to repeatedly drive said tines into theballast bed and withdraw them therefrom to loosen` the ballast forscooping up byy said blade means while leaving such loosened ballastspread out across the track in substantially its original transversedistribution.

13. Apparatus for removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (i) a framework constructed to travel along the roadbedbeneath the ties while elevating and supporting a span of track,

(ii) an on-track vehicle including means connecting said vehicle to saidframework for travel therewith along the track,

(iii) blade means extending transversely across substantially the ful-lwidth of the track,

(iv) means mounting said blade means on said on-track vehicle for traveltherewith along the track, said mounting means mounting the blade meansbeneath said elevated span of track with the blade means projectingforwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion to dellect material upwardlyfrom the roadbed,

(v) said blade means extending substantially at right angles to thedirection of travel whereby material thereby deflected rearwardlyremains spread out across the width ol` the track in substantially itsoriginal transverse distribution,

(vi) conveyor means mounted on said ori-track vehicle in positionbeneath said elevated span rearwardly Yoi said blade means to receivematerial deilected thereby and to convey such deflected material towardsa lateral edge of the track,

(vii) and digger means comprising a plurality of material-penetratingtines depending from said framework and aligned longitudinally of thetrack with at least the tie bed portions of the roadbed for looseningthe material of said portions for scooping up by said blade means, saidtines leaving such loosened material spread out tranversely of the trackin substank tially its original transverse distribution.

14. Apparatus for removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (i) an on-track vehicle including means for elevating a spanof track above the roadbed,

(ii) blade means extending transversely across substantially the fullwidth of the track,

(iii) means mounting said blade means on said ontrack vehiole for traveltherewith along the track, said mounting means mounting the blade meansbeneath said elevated span of track with the blade means projectingforwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion to dellect material upwardlyfrom the roadbed,

(iv) said blade `means extending substantially at right angles to theydirection of travel whereby material thereby deflected rearwardlyremains spread out across the width of the track in substantially itsoriginal transverse distribution,

A(v) conveyor means mounted on said on-track vehicle by and to conveysuch dellected material towards al lateral edge of the track;

fio

' railroad track, comprising (Vi) and digger means mounted on saidori-track vehicle in position beneath said elevated span in advance ofsaid blade means,

(vii) said digger means comprising a plurality of dependingmaterial-penetrating tines distributed across the apparatus and arrangedlongitudinally of the track with at least the tie bed portions of theroadbed for loosening the material of said portions for scooping upbyrsaid blade means, said tines leaving such loosened material spreadout transversely of the track in substantially its originaldistribution.

l5. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said digger means compriseat least one tubular member extending transversely across the track,said material-penetrating tines depending in fixed location from saidtubular member, said digger means further including means forrotating'said tubular member about its own longitudinal axis to vary theangle of attack of said tines in relation to the roadbed.

16. A method of removing material from beneath a (i) continuouslyelevating successive portions of said track to raise the ties from theroadbed,

(ii) continuously loosening substantially the entire width of theroadbed beneath the elevated track including the tie bed portionsthereof, while maintaining the loosened material in substantially itsoriginal transverse distribution,

(iii) rearwardly of said loosening operation, continuously deilectingthe loosened material upwardly from the roadbed, while continuing tomaintain the deflected material in substantially its original transversedistribution,

(iv) continuously conveying such deflected material beyond at least onelateral edge ofthe track,

(v) and continuously allowing the track to settle back on the roadbedrearwardly of the elevated portion thereof.

17. Apparatus for removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (i) means f for travelling along the track including meansfor elevating a span ot said track above the roadbed,

(ii) blade means extending transversely across substantially the fullwidth of the track,

(iii) means mounting said blade means on said travelling means fortravel therewith along the track, said mounting means mounting the blademeans beneath said elevated span of track with the blade meansprojecting forwardly and downwardly in scoop fashion to deflect materialupwardly from the roadbed,

(iv) said blade means extending generally transversely to the ldirectionof travel whereby material thereby deflected rearwardly remains spreadout across the width of the track, without dellection towards the centreof the track, 'n

(V) conveyor means mounted on said travelling means in position beneathsaid elevated span rearwardly of said blade means to receive materialdeflected thereby and to convey such dellected material towards alateral edge of the track, f

(vi) and digger means mounted on said travelling means in positionbeneath said elevated span in advance or said blade means,

(vii) said digger means comprising a plurality of dependingmaterial-penetrating tines distributed across the apparatus and alignedlongitudinally of thetrack with atleast the tie bed portions of theroadbed for loosening the material ofsaid portions for scooping up bysaid blade means, said tines leaving such loosened material spread outtransversely of the track without deflection towards the centre of thetrack.

y 18. A method of removing material from beneath a railroad track,comprising (ii) continuously loosening substantially the entire i widthof the roadbed beneath the elevated track including the tie bed portionsthereof, while maintaining the loosened material spread out across thetrack without deflection towards the centre of the track,

(iii) rearwardlyv of said loosening operation, continuously dellectingthe loosened material upwardly from the roadbed, while continuing tomaintain the deected material spread out across the track withoutdeection towards the centre of the track,

(iv) continuously conveying such dellected material beyond at least onelateral edge of the track,

on the roadbed rearwardly of the elevated portion thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ll/59 Sublett etal. 37-104 9/ 62 Christoff 104--7 9/ 62 Moss 104-7 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/ 53 France. 5 5 6 France.

(v) and continuously allowing the track to settle back 15 LEOQUACKENBUSH, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM BENEATH A RAILROAD TRACK,COMPRISING (I) MEANS FOR TRAVELLING ALONG THE TRACK INCLUDING MEANS FORELEVATING A SPAN OF SAID TRACK ABOVE THE ROADBED, (II) BLADE MEANSEXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL WIDTH OF THE TRACK,(III) MEANS MOUNTING SAID BLADE MEANS ON SAID TRAVELLING MEANS FORTRAVEL THEREWITH ALONG THE TRACK, SAID MOUNTING MEANS MOUNTING THE BLADEMEANS BENEATH SAID ELEVATED SPAN OF TRACK WITH THE BLADE MEANSPROJECTING FORWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY IN SCOOP FASHION TO DEFLECT MATERIALUPWARDLY FROM THE ROADBED, (IV) SAID BLADE MEANS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLYAT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL WHEREBY MATERIAL THEREBYDEFLECTED REARWARDLY REMAINS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE TRACK INSUBSTANTIALLY ITS ORIGINAL TRANSVERSE DISTRIBUTION, (V) CONVEYOR MEANSMOUNTED ON SAID TRAVELLING MEANS IN POSITION BENEATH SAID ELEVATED SPANREARWARDLY OF SAID BLADE MEANS TO RECEIVE MATERIAL DEFLECTED THEREBY ANDTO CONVEY SUCH DEFLECTED MATERIAL TOWARDS A LATERAL EDGE OF THE TRACK,(VI) AND DIGGER MEANS MOUNTED ONN SAID TRAVELLING MEANS IN POSITIONBENEATH SAID ELEVATED SPAN IN ADVANCE OF SAID BLADE MEANS, (VII) SAIDDIGGER MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF DEPENDINGG MATERIAL-PENETRATINGTIMES DISTRUBUTED ACROSS THE APPARATUS AND ALIGNED LONGITUDINALLY OF THETRACK WITH AT LEAST THE TIE BED PORTIONS OF THE ROADBED FOR LOOSENINGTHE MATERIAL OF SAID PORTIONS FOR SCOOPING UP BY SAID BLADE MEANS, SAIDTINES LEAVING SUCH LOOSENED MATERIAL SPREAD OUT TRANSVERSELY OF THETRACK IN SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ORIGINAL TRANSVERSE DISTRIBUTION.